ITS supporters claim it could be as successful as the Eden Project or be to Grampian what the Guggenheim Museum has been to Bilbao.

However, others believe it would destroy the character of the Granite City forever.

Now The Granite Web must convince the people of Aberdeen after it was chosen as the design for the £140 million project to transform the city's Union Terrace Gardens, which has already got a commitment of £50m from oil services tycoon Sir Ian Wood.

The jury of the International Design Competition for the City Garden Project announced yesterday they had chosen the futuristic vision for the city centre space, which would raise the level of the gardens to cover Denburn Road and the railway. The winning design was selected ahead of its competitor, the Winter Garden.

A referendum which closes on March 1 will establish whether the Aberdeen public supports the design or would prefer to retain the gardens as they are. Sir Ian has agreed to cover 80% of the referendum costs, which could be as much as £250,000.

"The Granite Web" is a network of paths over grass parkland and incorporates two new plazas off Union Street.

According to the judges it would provide significantly more, useable garden space and promote the city's historic bridged streets, revealing the arches, vaults and bridge on Union Street.

The Granite Web concept was developed by the internationally-renowned and award-winning New York-based Diller Scofidio & Renfro, who collaborated with local Scottish architects, Keppie Design.

Diller Scofidio & Renfro were also behind the award-winning High Line in New York which has re-invented a mile of obsolete elevated freight rail line as an urban public park.

Partner Charles Renfro said: "While the City Garden is at the heart of Aberdeen, that current heart has little pulse. We feel we can make it throb and bring life and energy into the centre of town. By making the park greener, more accommodating to passive and active uses, more engaged at its edges, the gardens can become a magnet for this otherwise youthful and energetic city."

Former Aberdeen University Principal Sir Duncan Rice, who was chairman of the jury, said the design would not cost the full £140m. He added: "The Diller Scofidio team had thought long and hard about Aberdeen's special history and unique needs.

"Answer by answer, they overwhelmed the jury with their vision and their sensitivity to the whole downtown context."

John Stewart, chairman of the City Garden Project management board, said the design would transform the way in which Aberdonians perceive, use and enjoy the city centre.

"This could be Aberdeen's Eden Project, our Guggenheim, and will be a unique space that nowhere else in Europe can offer," he said.

However, opponents of the project, the Friends of Union Terrace Gardens, say it would require Aberdeen City Council to underwrite a £70m loan to fund the project through a tax scheme, at a time when the authority is £562m in debt, according to figures from 2010, and jobs and services are being cut.

It would also involve felling most if not all of the 77 mature trees in the garden, many up to 200 years old.

The campaign group, which launched their referendum campaign last week, said: "We believe this would destroy the character of our city for ever, a scheme described by Annie Lennox as an act of civic vandalism."

The Winter Garden design which featured an extended glass winter garden in the middle of the park was the work of the renowned London-based Foster & Partners led by Norman Foster, who were responsible for rebuilding Wembley Stadium among other high-profile projects.